James L. Paris's Blog, page 218

$35 Device Eliminates Cable TV Bill

We’ve talked for some time about how dropping cable TV in favor of alternative methods by which to indulge your programming interests can be a terrific move for your wallet. While so-called “expanded basic” cable TV averages a little over $60 per month in households throughout America, it is nothing for premium cable TV services to drive that monthly cost to a level of well over $100 – that’s a lot of money for the “privilege” of enjoying television.

In order to help you in your quest to become a better…and slightly wealthier…consumer of TV, we’re going to do something this weekend we’ve not done before: we’re going to give away, as a bonus to those who purchase a membership to our Christian Money Plus premium service, a Google Chromecast. Chromecast is a very small device that plugs into a spare HDMI port in your television, and, using your smartphone or computer as the remote control (basically), you can access streaming content on your television set from the most popular providers, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video (nominal subscription fees apply to each service), as well as YouTube. Think of Chromecast as the transmitter that takes the streaming content you would otherwise watch on your computer or other device, and splashes it on to your living room TV set.

 

A few things: In order to use Chromecast, you must have a HDMI port on your TV. You will find that most TV sets manufactured in recent years come equipped with at least one, but if you’re interested in this and you’re not sure, you’ll need to check your own set first. Even if you can already get streaming Internet content to your television (through another device), there is something very different about streaming to your TV using Chromecast. Take for example, YouTube. There is simply no easier way to bring YouTube to your big screen than with Chromecast. Whether it is having a fun family night of watching videos of laughing babies, or setting up a playlist of your favorite music for your next party, bringing YouTube to your large screen is a blast. Also compared to other 'Internet TV' devices, most people find Chromecast easier to use by controlling it through a smartphone or computer (no clunky non-keyboard remotes to deal with). It also gives you access to the entire Internet, rather than just those offerings made available through a somewhat closed off ecosystem (Apple TV, Roku, etc...).

 

Chromecast also allows you to quickly and easily tap into a growing amount of free Internet TV programming from network websites. One series Jim Paris watches is NBC's The Blacklist. He uses his Chromecast to play it from the NBC website directly to his big screen TV. There are a growing number of regular network TV shows that you will find for free online. Even the Superbowl was made available free online this year!

I dropped Cable TV two years ago and I don't miss it. There is more and more content becoming available for us 'cord cutters'. Although I am not a subscriber, it was notable to see that HBO just began offering Internet subscriptions to its channel. Also, even though I joined Amazon Prime for the free shipping benefit, I am amazed at the thousands of free movies I have access to with my membership (and its easy to connect to Amazon with my Chromecast). If I had to recommend one device to people that want to drop cable, it would have to be a Chromecast. I love it so much that I bought a second one for my bedroom TV. All you need is a home WiFi network and it takes about two minutes to set up. There are a lot of misconceptions about Internet TV. I watch live news, live sports, I watch Fox News, and more! Oh, one more thing - your kids will absolutely love it!  Jim Paris

As we’ve said many times before, anything you can do to immediately save a chunk of money on a regular basis helps you in precisely the same way as if you were able to earn the extra cash…but without having to spend more time at work. Even if your savings amounted to “just” $60 per month, that translates to over $700 per year, and for the bunches who spend much more than $60 per month to enjoy cable TV, a device like the Chromecast can represent a savings of $1000 or more each year in cable costs. What’s more, you need not part with access to your favorite shows by reaping this significant savings; talk about a win-win!

If you’ve considered a Christian Money Plus membership for some time now, and you’ve also been meaning to finally do something about unchaining yourself from the cable company, this is your weekend - grab that annual subscription to Christian Money Plus between now and midnight on Sunday, March 15, and receive, as a bonus, a Google Chromecast, so that you can participate in the growing revolution against cable TV! Christian Money Plus comes with a laundry list of features, including The James L. Paris Report monthly newsletter (including all past issues), podcasts, personal finance webinar workshops, unlimited email-based Q&A with Jim and his staff, and lots more!

FREE GOOGLE CHROMECAST AND THROUGH MIDNIGHT MARCH 15

FREE TWO DAY SHIPPING!

 

4 Ways New Rules Can Raise Your Credit Score

There is one topic that this blog can always rely on for a huge response from readers: Credit Repair. Major reforms have just taken place in the world of credit scoring, and it is about time. Let me make clear that all of this was the result of a settlement between the credit bureaus and regulators, chief among them the state of New York. Also brewing was federal legislation that would have contained some of the most sweeping reforms since the Fair Credit Reporting Act (1970). This was not (as it might appear to be) a purely magnanimous move on the part of the three credit bureaus.

I have long been a critic of the credit reporting system in the United States, and the incredible amount of power that rests in the hands of the three major bureaus. What are the headline benefits of the reforms?

 

4 Ways New Rules Can Raise Your Credit Score 

1. Items You Did Not Sign A Contract For Can No Longer Be Added To Your Credit Report

Items such as fines, traffic tickets, and other obligations that you did not sign a contract for can no longer be added to your credit file. 

 2. The Impact Of Unpaid Medical Bills Will Be Reduced 

Under the new agreement, credit bureaus will not list medical debt on a credit report until it is at least 180 days old. The idea behind this is that consumers should not be penalized if their health insurance carrier pays legitimate claims late. It has become so commonplace for months to pass before insurance companies pay, consumers end up in collections through no fault of their own. Additionally, the overall impact of medical collections on credit scores will be dramatically reduced. Lastly, once a medical bill is paid, it appears that the item is likely to be removed altogether and have no lasting impact whatsoever on a consumer's score. 

3. New Dispute Arrangement To Consider Both Sides

Historically, credit bureaus were not obliged to do much more than to 'reinvestigate' a consumer's claim that an item was inaccurate. In the end, if the creditor replied and confirmed the item, that was the end of the story. Now, the credit bureau must consider the consumer's documentation in making the determination about the accuracy of a given entry. This will require the credit bureaus to act in the capacity of a third party judge considering the two competing stories of both the consumer and creditor. Believe it or not, historically the bureaus could (and did) mostly take the response of a creditor as gospel. Now, a consumer with adequate documentation supporting their dispute, can have an item removed or updated even if a creditor does not agree to the removal.

4. Paid Collection Accounts And Past Due Payment To Disappear?

The new scoring model will reportedly minimize, or completely remove the effect of late payments or collection accounts that have been paid. The details on this element of the plan are still a bit murky, and frankly I have a hard time fully believing this one entirely. This would mean that someone who has been historically and chronically late on their obligations could simply get caught up with everyone, and face little or no consequences, for their months of late payments. Hmmm... I find this very hard to imagine, and as much as I am a consumer advocate, I don't know if this would even be reasonable for the lending community to go along with. 

The Credit Bureaus Are Slicker Than Politicians, So Don't Count Your Chickens Yet...

When it comes to the credit bureaus, I am from Missouri (show me and I will believe it). I am more than a bit skeptical of these 'voluntary' changes that appear to be only in response to a wave of new state and federal rule proposals. We will have more information on all of this as the details become more clear. More importantly, we will continue to report on the new rules and kick the tires to see how much of this turns out to be actually put into practice.

Other Articles On Credit Reports and Credit Scoring

Get Your Credit Report For Free. No Trial Memberships, No Scams ...

Credit Karma Now Offering Free Credit Report

Credit Repair Advice - Online Dispute Or Letter?

Credit Repair: Why Old Negative Accounts Are Not Usually The Issue

Credit Repair: Understanding Time Limits And Statutes Of Limitation ...

Does It Ever Make Sense To Hire A Credit Repair Firm?

How A Low Credit Score Can Destroy Your Life

Credit Scoring - Go Where The Points Are - Christian Financial Advice

An Easy Method Of Rebuilding Credit After Foreclosure Or Bankruptcy

Helping you make the most of God's Money!

James L. Paris 
Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com 
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice 
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio

How To Replace Cable With Free Internet TV

Jim discusses some of his most popular money saving strategies. How to replace expensive cable TV with free Internet television. How to get a free home phone for life. How Christians can opt out of Obamacare and save 50% or more on health insurance with a Christian medical sharing plan. Jim also shares how to find lost money, including how he found thousands of dollars for one of his relatives.

Planet Fitness Allows Men In Women's Locker Rooms?

A Michigan woman has her Planet Fitness membership revoked after complaining about a transgender man being in the women's locker room. A shooting of a black man by a white police officer in Madison, WI prompt protests. Is this the next Michael Brown case? Will Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson soon be on their way to Madison? Who knew that Goodwill has an online auction site? Jim shares his experience with ShopGoodwill.com. Nineteen year old uses Facebook to arrange meeting to allegedly rape eleven year old. The city of Chicago is nearing bankruptcy according to Illinois Governor.

Jim Paris Hammers the Clintons and Net Neutrality in the Latest Edition of The James L. Paris Report

As the 2016 election year fast approaches, Hillary Clinton appears to be sitting pretty as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, but that look may ultimately prove deceiving; husband Bill’s association with a well-known pedophile, as well as Hillary’s current email controversy, represent two more problems for the woman once considered a shoo-in to take over for Barack Obama as the party’s standard-bearer. Don’t miss Jim’s take on all of this, as well as on the prospect of Internet censorship, now that so-called “net neutrality” has become real. Jim writes about these topics and several others…including his concerns about the current state of the stock market…in his “Perspective” column, a regular feature of The James L. Paris Report.

Other articles in the most recent edition of The James L. Paris Report address the recent murder conviction of a Montana homeowner who shot an intruder in self-defense, the killing of a suspected suicide bomber in Nigeria by the local citizens there, how to properly deal with a judgment on a credit report, IRS audit red flags, and much more. The James L. Paris Report monthly digital newsletter is only one of many features enjoyed by subscribers to Christian Money Plus – other benefits include access to regular members-only podcasts, webinar trainings on a variety of personal finance subjects, unlimited email-based Q&A with Jim and his staff *, and more! To learn more about Christian Money Plus, including how to become a subscriber, Click Here!

* Excludes topics related to personalized investment, tax, and/or legal advice.   

 

Woman Sends $1.4 Million To Online Boyfriend She Has Never Met

On this episode Jim shares the shocking story of a woman that sent $1.4 million dollars to an 'online boyfriend' that she has never met. Why has the price of gas suddenly jumped in the last two weeks? Benjamin Netanyahu to address joint session of Congress. How will new Net Neutrality rules affect free speech online? Is is true that Obama's amnesty order will give illegal aliens a payout of up to $35,000? The life and career of Leonard Nimoy.

Bernard Madoff - Wizard Of Lies Author Diana Henriques

If you thought you knew the whole story behind the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, think again. New York Times writer, Diana Henriques, takes you into the dark world of Bernie Madoff and gives us not just an overview of his crime, but exposes the psychology behind a life long scam artist. From his humble beginnings to his jail cell in Federal prison, Henriques takes the mask off of the most infamous con artist of our time.

Jim Discusses Retail Arbitrage

Jim discusses a new way of making money online called retail arbitrage. Joining him in the discussion is Bob Yetman. Jim shares how he is learning the process of buying items offline in places like thrift stores and even regular retail stores and selling them through Amazon.

Offer Replay From Jim Paris

I decided to do something here today that I have never done. I have been getting so many e mails from people that wanted to get in on various recent offers, that we are going to do a replay on these until midnight on Wed night.

So, as a reminder, here are the offers we have had just recently - 

Well, there you go! Now, you can get in on the deals that you missed - but you must do so before midnight on Wednesday night. Let me know if you have any questions. Click Here to E Mail me personally.

Jim Paris 

This Weekend…Get Serious as a Writer

Some time ago, there was an article published at the website of Entrepreneur Magazine that spoke to the profound issues an earnest young professional experienced at his first job over his inability to write well. In the article, entitled “9 Steps to Becoming a Great Writer,” the author, Steve Tobak, says pointedly that, “…you’ll never get anywhere in life unless you can write,” and further says that the advent of the Internet, with its evolutions and manifestations like social media, email, etc., make the ability to write well more important than ever. While the article is principally focused on the value of functional writing, in general, we know that aspiring, self-published authors have even more of a need to “raise their game,” as the kids say. What’s more, while becoming a self-published ebook writer as a hobby, or as a way to add a stream of income to the family, is what largely motivates many to begin, there are others who have even bigger goals…to include seeing their work published by a major book publishing house, or appear in a popular, national magazine. If you see yourself as a member of that group, then the words of Mr. Tobak surely ring true, and exceed even the level of importance he ascribes to writing well; your writing, and your approach to writing, must be top-notch.

We have very much enjoyed making available the James L. Paris Online Publishing Course for some time now. For those who may not yet be familiar with it, the course addresses the details of how to get started writing in an online format, which has come to predominate as a writing platform, as well as provides unlimited, email-based Q&A assistance on behalf of a wide variety of topics and issues…from the technical aspects associated with creating an online publication, to providing a “second opinion” on manuscript drafts, and just about anything else. Course architects Jim Paris and Bob Yetman have together written a substantial number of books and been published in multiple formats over the course of the past two-plus decades, and, in addition to their prolific work as self-published, digitally-based authors, have been “traditionally” published by some of the world’s best-known houses, including Adams Media and John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

As it stands, the James L. Paris Online Publishing Course provides a wealth of information and assistance to the person seeking to get started in digitally-based publishing, including over 20 hours of video webinar presentations (including The Shortcut Publishing Method: From Idea to Amazon in 2 Weeks), unlimited email-based Q&A with Jim Paris and his staff, and much, much more. However, this weekend, until midnight on Sunday, March 1, we are making available two special bonus packages designed to help the most earnest and diligent new writers in their quests to become the best they can be at the craft of writing, and even become bona fide, professionally-published authors! 

Bonus Package for New Gold-Level Memberships Purchased
through  Midnight, Sunday, March 1

Any new Gold Level membership purchased this weekend will receive two terrific bonus books about writing: The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition, and Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. These two books will be sent to you with FREE TWO DAY SHIPPING. Nearly 400 pages of essential writing tools and advice!

   

Jim has handpicked the three E-Books below as additional bonuses for those that join us at the Gold Level or higher. We believe these books contain information and strategies that will put you on the fast track to starting your Kindle writing career. Also, note that the third bonus E-Book includes detailed information on how to turn your Kindle book into a print book as well!